Last summer my 6 year old yellow lab became sick. It began as a stiff neck and he couldn't eat. Our Vet did ex-rays and found nothing. Two days later I found him paralyzed and unable to use his back legs. Long story short, we tried to take care of him at home, but ended up having to take him to the Vet's. He stayed there for two weeks, but didn't get any better, only worse. We had to put him to sleep. I asked the Vet at the beginning of all of this if it could be West Nile (we had many, many cases in humans where I live. ) He said he didn't think so, since Ty was healthy and not old. I asked him to do the blood test to check. It ended up being West Nile.

I am telling you this story for two reasons. One, I want people to know that dogs can get this. Many Vets and the media are saying that they are not at risk. There are things that you can do to help protect them. There are drops that can be applied to their backs that protect against fleas, ticks and mosquitos. The cost and the effort to do this is worth it. Last summer was very hard on our family emotionally and financially. I don't want anyone else to go through that.

The other reason I am telling you this is because our local newspaper did a story telling people that dogs are not at risk. I called and spoke to the reporter and told her I was writing a letter to the editor about our story and that she may want to do further research about the medications available. Yesterday a reporter called and wants to do a story about our dog. I am not sure what to do. On one hand I want to educate people about this. On the other hand, I am not sure I want our family to be the focus of a story. I am very active in our community and I don't want to look like I am trying to get publicity because of my dog. Does that make any sense? I told the reporter that I would call him today, but that if I did this I didn't want it to be a," Whoa is me my dog died story." I would want it to focus on educating people. It is also hard because I loved my dog very much and I'm not sure I want to focus on it all again. BTW my husband doesn't want to do the story because the paper always gets stories wrong. I'm sorry this is so long! If you have any words of wisdom, please share.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 04:59 pm:

My son's dog was bit by a tick and a few days later the vet's blood test showed she had Lyme Disease - fortunately, catching it that early it was taken care of by a month of antibiotics.

If your family can stand it, by all means help the reporter to do the story - but ask that they not use your last name or your address/general location. Anything that helps educate people to protect their animals (cats also) against fleas and ticks is all to the good. And of course, if your pet gets the disease the humans around are also at risk.

By Amecmom on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 09:09 pm:

If you are well known in the community all the more reason to do the story. People know you and will be interested in what has happened. Interested enough, I'll bet to actually read the story and know their animals may be at risk. A genaric story may not grab poeples' attention the way a story about someone they know or know of will.

Ame

By Amyj on Monday, July 5, 2004 - 11:31 pm:

Thanks for the feedback Ginny and Ame. I talked to the editor of the paper today and a story is going to run tomorrow. I hope it is correct and takes the approach we talked about. He said that it would focus on interviews with Vets and the CDC. Our story would be mentioned as an example.

By Coopaveryben on Monday, July 5, 2004 - 11:53 pm:

I meant to tell you how glad I am you posted this. Mosquitoes are so bad here I always spray myself and the kids before we step out the door, I didn't even think about our dog who lives outside. I am going to take him to the vet this week and see about getting him on some pills/drops.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 06:53 pm:

Amy, can you somehow let us see a copy of the story? If the newspaper is on line, maybe you could post a link.

By Amyj on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - 12:06 am:

Ginny, my only concern with posting the newspaper link is that it would list my town and my last name. I worry about putting this much info. out there for several reasons. I can type the story for you, it isn't very long. The story was okay,but made me sound crazy. The headline said:

Women believes West Nile killed dog. Officials: Maybe

The story went on to say that if I am right, it could be one of the only instances of a canine death from the virus in the United States. The article says that there are less than 10 confirmed cases of dogs being killed by West Nile in the U.S. The article said:
"It's possible that the dog died from West Nile, but without testing the cerebral spinal fluid or doing microscopic tests on the brain, it's impossible to be sure."
We had to have Ty put to sleep two weeks before the blood test came back positive.
Also from the aritical:
"Some experts fear that there may be more cases of West Nile in dogs that are not being diagnosed as such." "A single isolated case doesn't mean it is a risk to all dogs, but because it is rare people may not be reporting it."
Also said:
"Other diseases can look like West Nile. For example, dogs can become paralyzed after being bitten by a tick." "Still, he would not be surprised if a dog did die from West Nile in this area."
Any way, the story was okay. All I want from this is for people to think about protecting their dogs. Thanks for listening!